MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial institution in Oman, announced the successful pricing and closure of a 5-year, $500 million bond issuance under its Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme. The deal carries a coupon of 3.75 per cent.
“The overwhelming response to the euro bond issuance by Bank Muscat endorses the credibility enjoyed by the flagship bank in Oman. The credentials stemming from long-standing relations with the regional and international investor community have once again come as a shot in the arm, reinforcing the strategic business plans of the bank amid challenging situations,” Shaikh Khalid bin Mustahail Al Mashani, chairman of Bank Muscat, said.
“Bank Muscat is pleased to have re-opened the senior unsecured market for other Omani FIG issuers with this issuance representing the first senior unsecured by an Omani bank since 2013. The strong investor response is a testament to investor confidence in Bank Muscat’s credit profile and strategy,” Shaikh Khalid added.
Notwithstanding the volatile market backdrop, the Euro bond issue evoked strong response from the regional and international investor community. “Despite the challenging economic situation in the region, the demand for our bond issue was overwhelming. The offer was considerably oversubscribed by almost three times with around $1.4 billion placed in orders. The confidence of the regional and international investor community in Bank Muscat reflects the financial strength and prudent strategies pursued by the bank,” AbdulRazak Ali Issa, chief executive of Bank Muscat, said.
To promote the bond issuance, the bank organised an international road show where bank officials met with institutional investors in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. “Bank Muscat is immensely thankful to the regional and international investor community for once again endorsing the bank’s credentials. The positive response from the investor community reaffirms the strong reputation that the bank enjoys, our financial health and credit worthiness. The bank will continue to focus on national development projects, diversify its funding base and enhance its asset-liability management,” Waleed K. Al Hashar, deputy chief executive officer of Bank Muscat, said.
The joint lead managers and book runners on the issuance were Bank ABC, Bank Muscat, Citi, Credit Agricole, HSBC, MUFG, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Standard Chartered Bank. First Gulf Bank was a co-lead manager on the transaction.
